Heat stroke
Heat stroke is a condition that occurs extremely quickly and escalates to a very dangerous degree very rapidly.
Being unable to sweat, like humans, makes animals inefficient to thermoregulate adequately in certain situations.
This is something I see frequently where I live, as our climate is subtropical, thus very hot and humid. However you don't need to live in Africa to be affected by this. So care should be taken during the hotter months of the year, no matter where you reside.
Certain individuals are more predisposed to developing heat stroke:
- Brachycephalic breeds, eg boston terriers, pugs, staffies, Bulldogs, french bulldogs, and any other flat nosed dogs
- Overweight dogs
- Unfit dogs
- Dogs with chronic heart or pulmonary conditions
- Certain non brachycephalic breeds are over-represented, golden retriever, chow chows, greyhounds and the English springer spaniels
Cats can also be affected. Usually, when mistakenly locked in hot spaces. Similarly brachycephalic, older, overweight cats are more often affected. The symptoms are fairly similar to their canine counterparts.
Situations that are conducive to potentially causing heat related problems:
- Very hot days
- Midday high temperatures
- High humidity
- Exercise
- Excitement
- Being locked up in small, unaerated areas, like a car
The condition commences with the first phase - heat stress
- Excessive panting
- Rapid breathing rate
- Nausea
- Restlessness
This stage can still be dealt with conservatively quite successfully. The most important thing is to cool the dog down. Offer plenty fresh, clean water. hose the dog down and drape wet towels over his/her body. Placing a fan on them will help the cooling process.. If you don't see a relatively rapid response, a vet visit will be necessary.
If symptoms progress, full blown heat stroke will result. Any of these symptoms will require immediate veterinary treatment:
- Red mucous membranes
- Mental abnormalities
- Altered consciousness
- Disorientation
- Delirium
- Seizures
- Spontaneous bleeding
- Collapse
- Temperature above 40 degrees Celsius or 104 Fahrenheit
- Coma
- Death
If caught early enough heat stroke responds well to treatment. However multiorgan failure, to various degrees, temporary or permanent, is of primary concern. Unfortunately, some patients succumb in spite of treatment. This is very sad as most of these dogs, and cats, are healthy young individuals, and the loss is exceptionally traumatic for owners and vets alike. Prevention is the best policy, which is accomplished by awareness of pets and environmental conditions.